Wrapping machine



1e 24,1924; I 1,498,733 1 o. W. JOHNSON WRAPPING MACHINE E1196 Sept. 13 1.920 4 Shea Jmenzfor 674mm? Zd. Joim'ma,

June 24 1924. 1,498,733

c. w. JOHNSON WRAPPING MACHINE Fil ed se t. 15. 1920 {Shams- $56612 III/[722M080 4+ Emma? Giza/4w zdJoh/w w WWW;

C. W. JOHNSON WRAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented June 24, 1924.

* r sr "r S OFFICE.

CELARLES W. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 WM. WRIGLEY JR. COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed September 13, 1920. Serial No. 409,979.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, CHARLES-W. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in rapping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines, and more particularly to machines for wrapping small articles, such as pieces of candy-coated chewing gum of lozenge shape into packages containing a desired number of pieces to form a convenient sized package.

In the accompanying drawings are illustrated those parts of the wrapping machine designed for the purpose of wrapping pieces I of chewing gum having the form hereinbefore suggested, the novel features of this particular machine being directed toward the means form to be introduced into the wrapping mechanism, whereby a wrapper of paraflin paper is applied and sealed, and an outside wrapper or band applied.

A machine of the general character herein illustrated is the subject matter of a prior application filed by me in the United States Patent Ofiice on the 26th day of July, 1920, and bearing Serial Number 399,051, now Patent No. l,a82,01 i, the object of the present invention being to provide certain improved features of construction, pertaining more especially to the feedingmechanism of the machine, whereby a more eificient and desirable method of arranging and advancing the articles toward the wrapping mechanism is secured.

In general, the improvements herein disclosed provide for a departure in the structure and mode of operation of those parts of the feeding mechanism serving to receive the articles from the feed hopper and to arrange them in uniform rows for introduction into the wrapping mechanism, to-

gether with the addition of anovel device for controlling the discharge of the articles from the feeding conveyor into the wrapping mechanism.

The advantages resulting from the improved features maintained will hereinafter be pointed out in connection with the description of the structure and operation of for arranging the pieces in proper I the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a general view in side elevation of the machine showing the arrangement and relation of the several parts, with portions thereof shown in section to bring out more clearly the construction thereof, Figure the wrapping machine showing the parts of the feeding mechanism to which the inveni tion relates,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailedview in section taken on line 3-3 of Figure- 2,

Figure 4 is a Viewin. horizontal "section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed View in side elevation showing the parts associated with the primary wrapping drum in the positions immediately prior to theintroduction of the contents of a package into the drum, and

Figure 6 is a similar View of theparts shown in Figure 5 in the position immediately after the contents of the package have been introduced into the wrapping drum:

The main frame 1 of the machineis' supported upon a pedesta12 and comprises a rectangular open frame comprising vertical'a nd horizontal frame members 3'which support the several parts of the wrapping mechanism as well as the feedin mechanism, these parts being supported and actuated by a suitable arrangement of driven shafts, intermeshing gear wheels, sprockets and sprocket chain's, all being journalled in suitable bearings mounted upon the main frame 1. Extending vertically from the main frame are standards fr-'4 provided at their upper end withtransversearms 55 which support a feed hopper 6, rollers 7-7 which carry an endless conveyor belt 8, and other parts associated therewith and operativeto assist in the arrangement of the articles during their advancement toward the wrapping mechanism. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the feed hopper 6 and parts immediately associated therewith are located above the wrapping mechanism hereinafter to be described, so that the feeding of the articles to said wrapping mechanism is accomplished largely by gravity, although a portion of its movement is accomplished by mechanical means;

namely, by the conveyor belt 8, which receives the articles from the hopper and ad- 2 is a view in front elevation ofv into the wrapping mechanism.

Referring further to the parts immediately associated with the feed hoppor 6, there are mounted upon the transverse arms '5' of the vertical standards 4, two horizontal side plates 1212 which form between them a channel within which is contained the conveyor belt 8 and the rollers 7-7 thereof,

said rollers being journalled at their ends in said plates 12-12, the rearmost roller having its journal rod 13 adjustably mounted in a longitudinal slot 12 and connected with a suitable form of adjusting device 14 whereby the roller 7 may be moved horizoi'itally in order to vary the tension of the belt 8.

.Mounted immediately above the conveyor belt 8 and extending longitudinally througlr out its length is a reciprocating guide frame 15 comprising a series of vertically arranged parallel strips of metal 16, the spaces between the strips being slightly greater than the thickness of the articles so that the same may be loosely lodged on edge between the strips and at the same time be vanced forwardly in contact with the belt 3.

The strips 16 are connected together at the 7 rear end and adjacent the forward end of the frame by means of transverse frame members 17 and 18. The rearmost frame member 17 1s provided with ournal pins Ft-l'it, which engage rocku arms 19-19- pivoted on the sides of theplates 12-19.

v The forward end of the frame is similarly mounted upon rocker arms 20*?!) pivotally mounted on the side plates 12*12, the frame member 18 supporting a pivot pin 18 e1;- tending the full length thereof, the ends of said pin being journalled in the rocker arms 20 20. Immediately forwardly of the front frame member 18 is a crank shaft 21 mounted in bearings fl -21 fixed to the side plates 12-12. At the central portion the nk shaft 21 is a crank 21 on which. is

.mounted a connecting rod engaging at its'opposite end the pivot pin 18 of the reciprocating frame. At one end of the crank shaft 21 is mounted a gear pinion 23 driven through the medium of other gear wheels forming a part of the driving mechanism hereinafter described.

The hopper 6 is of the usual shape, having a large entrance opening and a comparatively small discharge opening above the rear end of the belt 8. The hopper is preferably mounted upon a rectangular frame which rests upon and straddles the side plates 12'12 just above the'reciproca ing frame. To assist in the discharging of the articles from the hopper 6 onto the corn veyor belt and the reciprocating frame, a pair of rotative brushes are employed, which are located above the conveyor belt and spaced apart longitudinally, and otherwise located in the following manner:

Qne of the brushes 25 is mounted just beneath the discharge opening of the hopper 6, its journal rod 25 being mounted in suitable bearings 26:26 secured to the rectangular frame 2 1. One end of the journal rod 25 is extended beyond one side of the frame 24 and has mounted at its end a sprocket Wheel 27. The brush 25 is cylindric in shape and-provided throughout its length with radially extending bristles. The other brush 28 is similarly mounted at the forward end of the frame 24, but slightly nearer the surface of the reciprocating guide frame 15, and having a single line of bristles extend ing throughout the length of the brush, and arranged in spiral formation. At one end of the journal rod 2% of the brush 28 is mounted a gear Wheel 29 by means of which rota tion is imparted to the brush.

Referring now to the mechanism for operating the several elements associated with the feeding mechanism, the belt 8 is driven in a direction such that the upper lead thereof travels forwardly; that is, from left to right as shown in Figure 3, the movement being imparted thereto by means of a sprocket wheel 30 mounted at the end of the journal rod 13 of the forward roller 7- a verticallydisposed sprocket chain 31, and another sprocket Wheel 32 mounted upon a horizontal drive shaft 33 carried by the frame 1. Reciprocating movement is imparted to the guide frame 15 through the medium of a crank shaft 21 and connecting rod 22., as hereinbefore described, through the medium of the pinion n3 mounted on the crank shaft 20, which meshes with an intermediate or idler wheel 34, which in turn meshes with a gear wheel 35 mounted upon the journal rod 13 of the conveyor belt 8, and hence is also driven by the sprocket wheel 30. The brushes 25 and 28 are driven by mechanism closely associated with the belt and crank shaft driving elements, the brush 25 being rotated through the medium of the sprocket wheel 27 here toforementioned, a sprocket chain 36 extending from said sprocket Wheel 27 to another sprocket wheel 37, and mounted upon the hub of the idler gear wheel 34. The forward brush 28 is driven through the medium of the gear wheel 29 already referred to and the idler gear Wheel 34. which meshes therewith. Itis to be observed that the arrangement of the driving elements is such that the conveyor belt travels at a uniform speed in a forward direction, the guide frame 15 is reciprocated in a lengthwise direction, and the rearmost brush 25 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, thereby tending to move the articles downwardly onto the conveyor belt and impelling them forwardly thereon. The forward brush 28, however, is rotated in a clockwise direction and opposes the forward movement of the articles upon the conveyor belt, thus retarding somewhat the movement of said articles, but at the same time assisting in the uniform arrangement of the same, end to end, within the spaces between the metal strips 16 of the reciprocating frame.

As hereinbefore suggested, the vertical chute or gravity conveyor 9 communicates with the forward end of the conveyor belt, the upper end of said conveyor being curved through an angle of 90 degrees so that the articles upon being discharged from the belt are guided from a horizontal direction of movement to a vertical direction of move ment by gravity. The gravity conveyor 9 is in reality a casing in which are formed a series of parallel chutes, each one arranged in alignment with and forming a continuation of a corresponding space or passageway formed between the metal strips 16 of the reciprocating frame 15. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the gravity conveyor preferably comprises an upper section 38 and a lower section 39, the upper section 88 consisting of a rear wall and a front wall 41, the latter being preferably removable in order that access may be had to the interior thereof. The individual chutes are formed by the provision of ribs 42, Figure 3, spaced apart in parallel relation throughout the width of the portion 38 of the conveyor, said ribs being preferably formed integral with the rear wall 40. As clearly shown in Figure 4, the forward ends of the metal strips 16 of the reciprocating frame extend beyond the upper end of the gravity conveyor 9,.and are located in slots 13 formed in the curved portion of the front wall or cover 11. The lower section 39 of the gravity conveyor is a continuation of the upper section, and differs therefrom only in that it is inclined in rearward direction and its forward wall is provided with a non-removable glass panel so that the downward progress of the articles may be observed. The lower end of. the sec tion 39 of the conveyor terminates just above the oscillating valve 11, and the discharge of the articles from the conveyor is controlled by said valve and a device co-operating therewith, and hereafter to be described in detail.

Referring to the cylindric valve 11, the same is as already suggested, cylindric in shape, and is provided throughout its length with a series of transverse slots 4:5 which register with the ends of the several chutes of the gravity conveyor. The location of the valve 11 is clearly indicated in Figures 5 and 6; namely, immediately below the lower ends of the chutes and in such posi tion that when the valve is rotated to a position such that the slots are vertical as in Figure 5, a complete transverse row of the articles pass by the gravity into the slots.

The cylindric valve 11 is rotatively mounted in and supported by a valve block 47 having a semi-cylindric valve seat surrounding the lower and inner portions of the valve. The block 47 is preferably mounted upon a transverse shaft or rod 18 and capable of movement thereon to permit end wise adjustments of the valve as may be required. A set screw 49 serves .to fix the block in the desired position of adjustment upon the rod 4-8. The block a7, as before suggested, surrounds one side of the valve; namely, that side adjacent to the primary wrapping drum 10, there being provided in said block a horizontal slot 17* adapted to register with the slots 45, when the valve is rotated to a position such that the slots assume a horizontal position, as in Figure *3.

The movement of the valve may be deseribed as an oscillatory or rocking move ment through an angle of 90 degrees; that is, from the position of Figure 5 totlie position of Figure 6, in a counter-clockwise direction and reverse. Suitable actuating mechanism for effecting this movement forms a part of. the machine. The valve 11 is journalled in suitable bearings in the main frame, one end of said valve being extended into the frame. Fixed to the extended end 50 of the valve (Figure 2) is an arm which is connected with one arm of a rocking lever 52 by means of a vertical link 53, the same end of the lever arm having attached thereto a spring 5 1 anchoredL to the frame. The lever is pivoted intermediate its ends to a journal bearing bracket 55 fixed to the frame 1. At the other end of the lever 52 is mounted a cam roller which engages a quick motion cam plate 56 mounted upona uniformly rotating shaft 57. The cam plate is so designed as to transmit to the valve 11, through the arrangement of the intermediate lever and link, the oscillating or rocking motion hereinbefore described.

Associated with the oscillating valve 11 and its mechanism, is a device adapted to operate in conjunction therewith for the purpose of forcing or projecting the articles from, the valve 11 into the primary wrapping drum 10. This device has the form of avertical rocker arm 58, provided at its lower end with a stub shaft 58 journalled in a bearing sleeve 59 integral with a bracket '59 fixed to the. main frame 1. The upper portion of the. arm is slightly inclined. in a direction away from the valve 11 and is provided at its upper extremity with cross extenoing at right angles to the bar and toward said valve 11, the arrangement of said rods being not unlike the tines of a These push rods are of the same number as the slots is of the valve and are so located that each rod registers with a cor responding slot; thus when the arm 58 is rocked lack and forth, the rods will enter he slots and force the articlestherefrom into the receiving slot of the wrapping drum 10, as shown in Figure 6. Manifest y, the movement of the arm 58 is accurately synchronized, with the oscillatory movement. of so that the former moves forward and engages the slots 45 when the latter mic comes to rest with the slots in horizoi'ital position. The rocking motion is imparted to the arm 58 by means of an eccentric sheave 62 mounted upon the shaft 57, which carries an eccentric strap 65 connected to the arm 58 at a point substantially midway between its ends, there being provided. a suitable pivotal connection as at 6st. As a preferable construction, the upper portion of the arm 58 is bifurcated throughoutits upper end portion, and the pivotal connection rcferred to, made adjacent the base of the bifurcation. A hand wheel 65, Figure 2, is mounted at the end of the shaft 57 to permit the slow operation of the machine by hand, as when making adjustments.

Associated with the oscillatory valve 11, and the article impelling mechanism, is a device serving to control the discharge of the rows of articles into the valve, and comprising parts as follows: Mounted on the rear wall of the gravity conveyor 9, is series of flat springs 66 fixed at their upper ends to a bar 67 secured to the wall of the con-- veyor, and at a point adjacent their free ends to a similar bar 68 which is freely movable, and projects outwardly a short distance beyond both sides of the conveyor, Figure Each of the springs 66 is located behind and in alignment with each of the individual chutes of the conveyor, and is provided at its lower end with a finger 69 which projects through apertures formed in the wall of the conveyor, and in normal position to project into each chute, obstructing the movement of the articles as shown in Figure 5. Carried by the rocker arm 58 is a il-shaped yoke 70 preferably pivoted at the upper end of the two bars 71 at either side of the rocker arm, and normally extend ing at right angles to the rocker arms with the free ends extending in the direction of the conveyor. A small handle 7 0 serves as a means for turning the yoke out of operative position. The ends of the yoke are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the conveyor 9, and in alignment with the projecting ends of the bar 68,

connecting the free ends ofv thespring 66. the rocker arm is moved forwardly to the position shown in Figure 6, and in the act of impelling the articles from the valve 11, the ends of the yoke engage the bar 68,, carrying it outwardly from. the rear wall of the conveyor, a distance sufficient to withdraw the fingers 69 from the path of articles, has permitting the lower row to drop downward against the valve. 011 the return stroke the bar is released (Figure and the fingers 69 again enter the chut s and hold the succeeding rows of articles from downward movement. in this manner we rows of articles are held or stopped at the discharge end of the chute, the lowermost row being released just before it is to be delivered into the valve 11. in the absence of a device of this character, the weight of the articles above rests upon the lower rows and in the act of being discharqed into the valve, would be damaged. as for instance, the coating which covers the articles woulc be chipped oil at the corners, or otherwise rendered imperfect.

as hereinbefore pointed out, the articles are discharged into the primary wrapping drum 10 by means of the valve ii, and the push rods 61 of the rocking lever, and, with out describing in detail the structure l mode of operation of the wrapping mecha nism, it is sufiicient to state, inasmuch as this portion of the machine has been fully described elsewhere, that the articles are wrapped in a covering of paper, preferably paraffined, which is fed to the wrapping drum from a roll 72 mounted upon a sup porting arm 73 for the purpose. With its initial wrapper applied and folded, the pack ages of articles are discharged into a ondary wrapping drum 74 where the outside wrapper or label is applied and sealed. From the secondary wrapping drum the packages are discharged upon a discharge track 75. the ends of the packages are finally sealed by means of a sealing device 76 locatcd in the path of the packages, and lastly, the packages are removed in readiness to be packed for the market.

Sunnnarizing the operation of the feeding mechanism, the lozenge shaped articles to be wrapped, are introduced into the hopper, and by means of a conveyor belt, the re ciprocating frame 15 and the rotary brushes 25 and :28, the articles are fed in uniform rows into a series of vertical chutes of the gravity conveyor 9, the same being arranged in even transverse rows one above the other, the rows adjacent the discharge end of the chute being indicated as A. A and A.

Referring to Figure 5, the valve 11 is shown as revolved into a position so that the first row A is free to drop into the slots 45 of the valve, and are completely enclosed therein. The rocker arm 58 and push rod 61 are withdrawn from the valve 11, and the spring fingers 69 are extended into the conveyor so as to engage and restrain the row A from downward movement.

Now, if the valve 11 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of 90 degrees, and the rocker arm 58 moved forwardly by the rotation of the cam 62 in a countenclockwise direction, the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig e 6 wherein the row of articles A. has been introduced into the wrapping drum, which has been rotated into a position to receive said row, and the yoke '70 engages the ends of the bar 68 thereby effecting the withdrawal of the spring fingers 69, thus permitting the succeeding row of articles A to drop downwardly in contact with the valve 11, and in readiness to pass into the slots thereof during the succeeding movement which follows immediately, and whereby the parts are restored to the positions shown in Figure 5. These operations follow each other in rapid succession, and with each movement a row of articles is discharged from the gravity conveyor into the wrapping drum and from thence advanced through the several steps hereinbefore described, and finally discharged froin the machine completely wrapped.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferable structure of a machine embodying the features of my invention, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention not to be limited to the foregoing subject matter except in so far as it is specifically forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wrapping machine of the character described. the combination of a chute along which the articles to be wrapped are advanced, an article receiving member at the discharge end of said chute into which the articles are discharged, an oscillating member coacting with said article receiving member for discharging the articles successively therefrom, yieldable means mounted adjacent the end of said chute and comprising an article engaging member normally positioned to retard the feeding of the articles and means carried by said oscillating member and coacting with said yieldable means to successively release the articles from said chute.

2. In a wrapping machine of the character described, the combination of feeding mechanism comprising a chute along which the articles to be wrapped are advanced to said wrapping mechanism, an oscillating member operative to introduce the articles from the discharge end of said chute into he wrapping mechanism, spring members mounted at the discharge end of said chute and normally positioned to retard the discharge of the articles therefrom, and coacting means carried by said oscillating member for actuating said spring members to re lease the articles from said chute into the path of said oscillating member.

3. In a wrapping machine of the character described, the combination of feeding mechanism comprising vertical chutes in which he articles to be wrapped are arranged in rows of package form, a rotative article receiving member operative to receive successive rows of articles from the discharge end of said conveyor, yieldable members mounted at the discharge end of each chute and provided with portions extending into the path of the articles and normally positioned to retard the movement of the articles, and an oscillating ejector coacting with said rotative member to discharge the articles therefrom, and comprising a member for engaging said yieldable members .during the ejecting stroke thereof to move the same out of article retarding position.

1. In a wrapping machine of the character described, the combination of feeding mechanism comprising vertical chutes in which the articles to be wrapped are arranged in rows of package form, oscillatory valve and ejector members coacting to receive and eject successive rows of articles from the discharge end of said chutes into the wrapping mechanism, a series of spring arms mounted at the discharge ends of said chutes, and provided with fingers normally projected into the path of the lowermost row of articles, a bar connecting said spring arms and a yoke carried by said ejector member and adapted in the ejecting stroke thereof to engage said bar to displace said fingers from article retarding position.

5, In a wrapping machine of the character described, the combination of a vertical chute, an oscillatory article receiving member at the discharge end. of said chute, a

resilient member mounted at the end of said chute and normally positioned to restrain the articles from being discharged and an ejector cooperating with said article receiving member to eject the articles therefrom and having a portion adapted for contact with said resilient member during its ejecting movement to release the article next to be discharged from said chute.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of September, A. D. 1920.

CHARLES W. JOHNSON. 

